Basic RolePlay
Below are some basic guidelines and tips for good roleplay:
1) In Character (IC)
2) Out-of-Character (OOC)
3) Emoting
4) God Moding
5) Translator
6) Do not teleport in or out of a roleplay scene
7) Your Character's Background Story
8) Respect for Other Players
9) Sim Rules, SL TOS, and Questions About Roleplay
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1) In Character (IC)
Conversations that take place IC means that they are part of a roleplay scene and are typed in the local or nearby chat bar. One person speaks to another person, or group of people, and then waits for someone else to type a response. Please be patient, as some folks are slower typists than others.
You should type complete phrases, and not use the "text-speak". For example, you would type "thank you" instead of "ty." Other common no-no's are: lol, omg, idk, yw. These acronyms are fine in IMs or OOC chat, but they take away the realism from IC roleplay.
In roleplay, you should see and hear only things you would be able to see or hear in real life. It is important to remember not to use certain information in roleplay if it would not be realistic to do so in real life, such as name tags, group tags, minimap, flying or camming to places that you can not see within your view, etc. For example, no one has a name tag floating above their head in real life. So, before calling someone by name in roleplay, if you had not previously been introduced, find out that information through a roleplay conversation.
2) Out-of-Character (OOC)
Out-of-Character conversation is non-roleplay information that may be needed at times, such as "brb" for "be right back" or "I need to relog." Please enclose it with (( )) if said in local chat. anything OOC you feel you must say in local, keep it short. so that it will not be confused with the roleplay conversation. For example, if you are having computer problems and need to relog you would type: ((I need to relog)). Some viewers will automatically close the typed phrases with )), so you only need to type (( at the beginning of your OOC chat. If you want to use the auto-close parentheses, you'll need to enable it in your Preferences.
Rule of thumb: If it doesn't advance the storyline, then don't do it.
3) Emoting
Roleplay is so much more than just moving an avatar from place to place. It’s about creating and interacting within a story and expressing how you think and feel about what is going on around you. Emoting is when you describe your feelings, thoughts, and actions beyond what your avatar can portray. Others cannot see if you are happy, sad, angry, getting ready to shoot them, etc. These need to be emoted.
Emoting is a form of narration, in present tense, and is very simple. You type in the local chat bar the emotion that you are wanting to convey by first typing /me followed by the emotion. Here is an example:
/me looks down, cheeks flushed, embarrassed at the comment that was just said
If you are emoting after you've already spoken
4) God-Moding
God-moding is not fair and it spoils the fun of discovering who other roleplay characters are and allowing them to weave their own story into the roleplay going on around you.
Also, in roleplay you cannot decide what happens to another player by assuming their thoughts, emotions, reactions, or what happens to their avatar or their possessions. You can set up a scene, but then you should allow them to respond for themselves. An example would be if you are an outlaw and wanted to rob someone, you cannot just walk up to that person emote that you've beaten them over the head, they've fallen down, and then you've grabbed all of the money they had in their pockets. Here's an example of what you can do:
/me sees a stranger walking alone, looks around to be sure no one else is watching or able to help, and sneaks up behind the stranger and puts out his hands to knock the stranger down
You have now given this other person the opportunity to respond. They may choose to allow you to rob them in roleplay, or they may choose to run away. Then you respond accordingly, and thus goes the scene.
[ Use of RLV, or other similar controls necessitate a certain level of God-Moding, minimize it where possible ]
In roleplay, you should see and hear only things you would be able to see or hear in real life. It is important to remember not to use certain information in roleplay if it would not be realistic to do so in real life, such as name tags, group tags, minimap, flying or camming to places that you can not see within your view, etc. For example, no one has a name tag floating above their head in real life. So, before calling someone by name in roleplay, if you had not previously been introduced, find out that information through a roleplay conversation.
5) Translator
If you are in a roleplay scene with someone who speaks a different language, it is wise to use a translator. There are several in SL Marketplace.
6) Teleporting
Do not teleport in or out of a roleplay scene
You can't disappear into thin air in real life, so if you are involved in a roleplay scene in SL and must leave, it’s best to roleplay your way out of the scene and then walk off to a another area (e.g., inside a building or around a corner) before logging off. Or if you want to take a shortcut to a neighboring sim, you should say goodbye and walk away from the roleplay scene rather than using a landmark and teleporting out.
If you know that you will only be in-world for a short time and may not have time to engage in a roleplay scene, it's best not to start one and then have to leave in the middle of it.
7) Your Character's Background Story
Everyone comes from somewhere and has a personal history in real life, and the same goes for roleplay in SL. The amazing thing about roleplay is that you can create your own adventure, develop your own unique story as you interact in other players’ stories. Other than the limits of the time period and culture in which you choose to roleplay, there is no limit to the possibilities except your own imagination.
Who are you?
Where did you come from, and why are you here now?
Are you looking to settle down or just passing through?
Do you have a family?
Are you rich or poor?
Are you a law-abiding citizen or a ruthless outlaw?
Think about what makes your roleplay character tick, and then put that backstory in your profile but then allow it to be revealed to others in roleplay so that they can get to know you and know how to react to your character. And also allow your character to evolve as you allow other roleplayers to interact and perhaps have influence in the development of your character.
8) Respect for other players
Remember, that not only are you playing out your own story, but your story fits into the bigger picture of the story of the SIM where you are participating and the stories of those who are roleplaying with you. Please be respectful of players, both IC and OOC.
Even if your character is a vicious outlaw or just plain rude and mean IC, please don’t carry that into OOC. Remember that there is a real person with real feelings behind every avatar. Stay mindful of the Golden Rule to do to others what you would have done to you.
Another aspect of respect involves your participation in a roleplay scene. When you enter a scene already in progress, it is best to stand on the side quietly for a moment or two to get the feel of what's taking place and then slowly move into the scene, unless someone already in the scene has acknowledged you. Then feel free to jump right in.
Please adapt your behavior to the roleplay scene in progress. If it is a serious scene, don't barge in with a comedy routine. We are here to roleplay not watch a three-ring circus. Let's strive to create authentic roleplay and not be silly just for silliness sake.
You can't disappear into thin air in real life, so if you are involved in a roleplay scene in SL and must leave, it’s best to roleplay your way out of the scene and then walk off to a another area (e.g., inside a building or around a corner) before logging off. Or if you want to take a shortcut to a neighboring sim, you should say goodbye and walk away from the roleplay scene rather than using a landmark and teleporting out.
If you know that you will only be in-world for a short time and may not have time to engage in a roleplay scene, it's best not to start one and then have to leave in the middle of it.
9) Sim Rules, SL TOS, and Questions About Roleplay
Final note, for the most enjoyable and safe roleplay experience, please remember to read and follow the sim rules where you are roleplaying, and you should also be familiar with Linden Labs' Terms of Service (TOS) and Community Standards.
- Take turns to post, respect the other player.
- Be patient, good ideas take time to create.
-* Enjoy winning and losing, equally.
- Learn by active role playing.
- Write emotes we can react to; thoughts=difficult
- *Adjust a bit to your fellow players style of RP.
- ***adapt, support, be forgiving and not uptight.
- ***Be sure to make all situations fun for all
- *Try to pick up on hints given to you.
- Celebrate the difference between IC & OOC.
- ***Know what godmod, metagaming & powerplaying is.
- *Put your human on and don't be an asshole.
- ***Accept that your story can change its path.
- *Accept IC responsibility for IC actions.
- Thank people in IM's after intense RP
- ***Be sure to make all situations fun for all!
- *Remember IC enemies are OOC friends
- ******Let the RP flow with scant OOC guiding
- Acknowledge people who have entered your RP scene
- ***Be sure to make all situations fun for all! (get it yet?!)
